Halifax cafe rolls the dice on board games

HALIFAX – Do you need a Clue about how to spend a night out on the town?

Are you willing to roll the dice?

Then you may be in luck: the Board Room Game Cafe recently opened in Halifax and reception so far appears positive.

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The cafe, which sells coffees, sandwiches and other snacks, has about 400 board games and is the first of its kind in the Maritimes.

There are tried and true board games, like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, but there are also lesser known ones, such as Rise of Augustus and Pandemic.

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The unique cafe is the brainchild of owner Kris Moulton of Cole Harbour.

Moulton used to live in Toronto, where board game cafes are popular, and says he felt the need to bring the idea to Halifax.

“A lot of people are getting back into board games. It’s a great way to spend an evening,” he said.

It costs five dollars per person to play all the board games you would like.

The idea appeals to Christian Stalley, who says it is sometimes luck of the draw when you buy a new board game.

“You can play games you don’t have and you can see then if you want to buy them, which is a really good thing because these games aren’t cheap,” she said.

Andrea Taber and her two friends spent the evening playing games such as Scattergories.

“Board games were like a family oriented thing for me as I was growing up,” she said.

“It was an interesting concept to get together with friends and get to do the same thing I used to do with my family.”

Friend Tamika Knutson says the concept is refreshing.

“It mixes things up a bit. I’m from the Yukon so this isn’t really something I go out and do. Going to a board game cafe is pretty new and exciting,” she said.

Owner Moulton adds the cafe is an option for people looking for a break from the bar scene.

“I think people are a little tired of loud dance clubs and loud places where it’s difficult to converse with your friends. This place is a little quieter and it’s a way to spend more quality time with your friends,” he said.

Robyn Murphy agrees, saying it gives people an opportunity to mix up their social lives.

“This is a great alternative to going out and drinking too much or going to someone’s house and playing games inside,” she said.

“I’m not a big fan of going out to the bar. This is a great way to socialize with friends in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Alex Campbell, who arrived with two friends.

The cafe is applying for a liquor license and once that is approved, it will only allow those 19 and older.

Moulton says that there could be plans to expand the cafe into other provinces in the Maritimes.